Air quality – live: Noxious smoke eases over US but wildfires still major threat in Canada

Smoke from hundreds of wildfires in Canada reached Europe on Friday after blanketing provinces and large parts of the United States in thick smoke this week.

And while the noxious smoke was finally easing over the northeast on Friday, the fires still posed a major threat.

More than 420 fires are raging across Canada from British Columbia in the west to Nova Scotia in the east. At least half of these fires are burning out of control, and tens of thousands of people have been evacuated from their homes.

While air quality improved in large cities like New York, Washington DC and Philadelphia on Friday, pollution increased across central and southern states including the cities of Chicago, Cincinnati, Pittsburgh and Cleveland.

Global temperature rise, caused by emissions from burning fossil fuels, is leading to more large, erratic wildfires around the world. And it’s a vicious circle: the emissions pumped into the atmosphere by fires add to global heating, further drying out the land and vegetation, making it more susceptible to catching fire.

Key Points

• New York air pollution downgraded to ‘unhealthy’ as smoke moves southwards

• Smoke moves south covering Midwest and Ohio Valley

• Check smoke forecast for Friday

• What is code red, purple and orange air quality?

• Why wildfires are raging in Canada?

• Watch: Apocalyptic time-lapse shows New York disappear into orange smoke from Canada wildfires

Watch: How to protect your home from smoke

07:11 , Louise Boyle

Scenes from New York City’s ‘smoke-apocalypse’

05:01 , Louise Boyle

For many cities around the world, bad air an inescapable part of life

04:08 , Louise Boyle

Thick, smoky air from Canadian wildfires made for days of misery in New York City and across the U.S. Northeast this week. But for much of the rest of the world, breathing dangerously polluted air is an inescapable fact of life — and death.

Almost the entire world breathes air that exceeds the World Health Organization’s air-quality limits at least occasionally. The danger grows worse when that bad air is more persistent than the nightmarish shroud that hit the U.S. — usually in developing or newly industrialized nations. That’s where most of the 4.2 million deaths blamed on outdoor air pollution occurred in 2019, the UN’s health agency reported.

“Air pollution has no boundaries, and it is high time everyone comes together to fight it,” said Bhavreen Kandhari, the co-founder of Warrior Moms in India, a network of mothers pushing for clean air and climate action in a nation with some of the world’s consistently worst air. “What we are seeing in the U.S. should shake us all.”

“This is a severe air pollution episode in the U.S.,” said Jeremy Sarnat, a professor of environmental health at Emory University’s Rollins School of Public Health. “But it’s fairly typical for what millions and millions of people experience in other parts of the world.”Read more at the link below

For many cities around the world, bad air an inescapable part of life

Watch: Wildfire smoke engulfs DC

03:01 , Louise Boyle

What is El Nino and what impact might it have?

02:01 , Louise Boyle

US meteorologists have announced the return of the weather cycle El Nino, which could lead to record global temperatures in the next couple of years.

After three years of the cooler La Nina pattern, which often lowers global temperatures slightly, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) announced on Thursday that El Nino conditions were present and are expected to gradually strengthen into the winter.

Read more below on what typically happens during El Nino - and why this time could be different.

What is El Nino and what impact might it have?

Pictured: Gritty to the rescue!

01:06 , Louise Boyle

An icon from the world of sports brought some much-needed levity to raising awareness about dangerous air quality in the US Northeast this week.

Under a sky thick with smoke, Gritty, the official mascot for the Philadelphia Flyers National Hockey League (NHL) team, posed up in Washington DC on Thursday with the US Forest Service’s icon of wildfire prevention, Smokey Bear.

Fact-checking false information on the wildfire

Saturday 10 June 2023 00:03 , Louise Boyle

CLAIM: A video of a helicopter dropping flames on treetops in Canada shows wildfires in the country are “a set up”.

THE FACTS: The footage shows firefighters conducting a planned burn last weekend on the Donnie Creek wildfire in northeastern British Columbia. The ignition was being used to help contain the fire by taking away fuel, not to spread it. Yet social media users misrepresented footage of the containment efforts to baselessly claim it shows that the fires were deliberately lit. A video shared on Instagram, TikTok and Twitter shows a yellow helicopter flying above a forest filled with smoke, as a helitorch suspended from the chopper emits flames. The next shot shows a forest ablaze. Text overlaid on the footage reads: “it was a set up.”

However, the footage was taken from a video shared by the British Columbia Wildfire service on June 4 on YouTube. In the video, members of the fire service explain how they are using “planned ignitions” to fight the Donnie Creek blaze. Mike Morrow, an ignition specialist with the service, says firefighters are stopping the conflagration from spreading by using planned burns to rob the fire of fuel. “We’re taking the fuels out on our terms rather than letting Mother Nature guide the project,” he says.

Sarah Budd, a spokesperson for the British Columbia Ministry of Forests, confirmed to the AP that the clip circulating online matches the video from the planned burn that took place last weekend, on June 1 and 2, on the Donnie Creek wildfire in northeastern British Columbia. “When the decision is made to conduct such a burn operation, the wildfire is usually beyond the initial attack stage,” Budd said in an email. “The goal is to remove the majority of available fuel ahead of the wildfire so there’s less fuel available for the wildfire to burn.” Similar videos of planned burns have been shared in the past to spread conspiracy theories during major wildfires or to discredit climate change.

The Associated Press

Watch: New York City bridge obscured by eerie haze from Canada wildfires

Friday 9 June 2023 23:11 , Louise Boyle

The George Washington Bridge vanished in the eerie orange haze caused by thick wildfire smoke in New York City on Wednesday.

Watch: New York City bridge obscured by eerie haze from Canada wildfires

Video goes viral of South African firefighters dancing and singing as they come to bolster fire response in Canada

Friday 9 June 2023 22:40 , Louise Boyle

Videos of South African firefighters arriving in Edmonton, Canada to bolster response to the country’s massive wildfires have gone viral.

Clips posted on social media in the last week have shown the 200-strong team of firefighters dancing and singing in the airport arrivals hall. “Bless every one of them,” read one response on Twitter. “I’m sorry we had to call, but so so grateful they answered.”

Pictured: Canada surveys the damage

Friday 9 June 2023 22:11 , Louise Boyle

Where are wildfires burning in Canada right now?

Friday 9 June 2023 21:40 , Louise Boyle

More than 420 wildfires have erupted across Canada from the province of British Columbia in the west to Nova Scotia in the east.

Roughly half of those fires are burning out of control, according to the Canadian Interagency Forest Fire Centre, and tens of thousands of people have been evacuated from their homes.

Unlike previous years, this wildfire season got off to an extremely hot and dry start amid severe droughts across the country.

My colleague Ariana Baio has more.

Watch: Wildfire smoke from Canada drifts across Europe

Friday 9 June 2023 21:11 , Louise Boyle

What does the Air Quality Index measure and what do the different colors mean?

Friday 9 June 2023 20:40 , Louise Boyle

The index rates how clean or polluted the air is each day. The EPA uses this measure to keep tabs on five kinds of air pollutants. The main concern from the wildfire smoke is fine particle pollution, or PM2.5.

These particles are tiny enough to get deep into the lungs. They can cause short-term problems like coughing and itchy eyes, and in the long run, can affect the lungs and heart.

The index runs from zero to 500. The higher the number, the worse the air quality. That range is broken down into six color-coded categories. Green or yellow — in the zero to 100 range — the air is pretty clear.

Once it gets up to orange, the air quality could be a concern for sensitive groups like kids, older adults or those with health conditions.

In the red and purple zones, the air quality is considered unhealthy for everyone. And once it gets to maroon — at 301 or above — pollution levels are hazardous.

AP

How dirty air can affect your health

Friday 9 June 2023 20:10 , Louise Boyle

Racing resumes after air quality improves ahead of Belmont Stakes

Friday 9 June 2023 19:40 , Louise Boyle

Live racing will resume at Belmont Park on Friday following significant improvement in air quality conditions in the state, the New York Racing Association (NYRA) announced.

Both Belmont and Saratoga reopened for training Friday morning, and the 11-card race will start at 12:50pm. The NYRA said in a statement that it will actively monitor air quality conditions and forecasts to ensure the environment remains safe for racing participants and fans ahead of the Belmont Stakes on Saturday.

Racing at Belmont Park was canceled on Thursday due to poor air quality from wildfires in Canada.

New York Governor Kathy Hochul had warned that the Belmont Stakes, the final leg of the Triple Crown, could be affected if conditions don’t improve by Saturday.

New York Racing Association vice president of communications Patrick McKenna said in a statement to The Associated Press on Thursday that state officials and the NYRA consulted on how to proceed going forward in “our shared efforts to provide the safest possible environment for training and racing thoroughbred horses.”

McKenna had said his group remained “optimistic that conditions will allow for the resumption of training and racing on Friday in advance of the Belmont Stakes on Saturday.”

AP

Watch: Fox News falsely claims there is ‘no health risk’ from wildfire smoke

Friday 9 June 2023 19:10 , Louise Boyle

Mayors in US and Canada respond to air quality threat

Friday 9 June 2023 18:50 , Louise Boyle

The mayors of major North American cities badly affected by wildfire smoke pollution this week issued a statement on Friday.

New York City Mayor Eric Adams, Mayor Valérie Plante of Montréal, Interim Mayor Jennifer McKelvie of Toronto, Mayor Muriel Bowser of Washington, DC, and Mayor Jim Kenney of Philadelphia released the remarks via C40 Cities - a global network of nearly 100 mayors “that are taking urgent action to confront the climate crisis”.

“As Mayors of impacted cities, we are deeply concerned about the current air quality crisis in east coast US and Canadian cities, caused by the devastating wildfires in Canada,” the statement read.

“As we work to respond to the immediate health concerns in our communities, this alarming episode serves as a stark reminder of the harmful impacts that the climate crisis is having on cities around the world.

“Our mission is clear: Without drastically reducing fossil fuel use in order to at least halve our emissions by 2030 we will likely be condemning ourselves to a future filled with weeks like these in cities across the world. Achieving this goal will take all hands on deck. We stand ready to address this climate and health emergency and call on all governments, companies, and residents to act with us.”

Wildfire smoke shifts towards Europe

Friday 9 June 2023 18:26 , Louise Boyle

Wildfire smoke is drifting across the Atlantic Ocean and will spread across Europe in the coming days, according to scientists at the Climate and Environmental Research Institute, NILU, in Norway.

The smoke arrived in Norway on Friday after moving across Greenland and Iceland over the past week.

“We may be able to see some haze or smell smoke”, said NILU senior scientist Nikolaos Evangeliou.

“However, we do not believe that the number of particles in the air here in Norway will be large enough to be harmful to our health.”

Europe sends firefighters to Canada

Friday 9 June 2023 18:11 , Louise Boyle

Ursula von der Leyen, president of the European Commission, announced on Thursday that the bloc would send firefighters to support Canada in fighting its huge wildfires.

France, Portugal and Spain were offering an initial 280 firefighters and more would be forthcoming, she tweeted.

“Canada has requested support from the EU Civil Protection Mechanism - and we are responding promptly,” she said.

‘Welcome to the apocalyptic haze of the new abnormal. There is nowhere left to hide'

Friday 9 June 2023 17:50 , Louise Boyle

Welcome to the apocalyptic haze of the new abnormal | Michael E. Mann

Where will be impacted by wildfire smoke this weekend?

Friday 9 June 2023 17:37 , Louise Boyle

As the US heads into the weekend, near-surface wildfire smoke pouring from Canada’s devastating wildfires is expected to continue plaguing regions from the Great Lakes to the Mid-Atlantic with reduced air quality.

The National Weather Service reported on Friday morning that a low pressure system over the Northeast will continue to push the flow of smoke over the region.

By Saturday, the smoke is expected to shift to more of a westerly direction.

Pockets of denser smoke could significantly reduce air quality and lead to lowering visibility, with a wider region of light to moderate smoke leading to an opaque sky and orange sunsets/sunrises. NWS said.

Air Quality Alerts remain in effect from Michigan and Indiana to the northern Mid-Atlantic.

New satellite image shows the scale of wildfire smoke

Friday 9 June 2023 17:12 , Louise Boyle

For many parts of the world, bad air is part of day-to-day life

Friday 9 June 2023 16:47 , Louise Boyle

Thick, smoky air from Canadian wildfires made for days of misery in New York City and across the U.S. Northeast this week. But for much of the rest of the world, breathing dangerously polluted air is an inescapable fact of life — and death.

Almost the entire world breathes air that exceeds the World Health Organization’s air-quality limits at least occasionally. The danger grows worse when that bad air is more persistent than the nightmarish shroud that hit the U.S. — usually in developing or newly industrialized nations. That’s where most of the 4.2 million deaths blamed on outdoor air pollution occurred in 2019, the UN’s health agency reported.

“Air pollution has no boundaries, and it is high time everyone comes together to fight it,” said Bhavreen Kandhari, the co-founder of Warrior Moms in India, a network of mothers pushing for clean air and climate action in a nation with some of the world’s consistently worst air. “What we are seeing in the U.S. should shake us all.”

“This is a severe air pollution episode in the U.S.,” said Jeremy Sarnat, a professor of environmental health at Emory University’s Rollins School of Public Health. “But it’s fairly typical for what millions and millions of people experience in other parts of the world.”

Read more at The Associated Press

Watch: Air quality is improving across the US Northeast

Friday 9 June 2023 15:37 , Louise Boyle

AQI improving in major US cities

Friday 9 June 2023 14:30 , Ariana Baio

The air quality in some major cities along the East Coast has improved greatly since earlier this week when heavy smoke from Canadian wildfires lingered over New York City, Washington DC, Philadelphia and more.

Here’s what the air quality index (AQI) is as of Friday morning according to AirNow.gov:

New York City: 64, Moderate

Philadelphia: 116, Unhealthy for sensitive groups

Pittsburgh: 125, Unhealthy for sensitive groups

Dover: 160, Unhealthy

Washington DC: 70, Moderate

Columbus: 99, Moderate

Detroit: 132, Unhealthy for sensitive groups

ICYMI: Smoky haze from Canada wildfires triggers New York flight chaos

Friday 9 June 2023 14:00 , Ariana Baio

Hundreds of flights were delayed and dozens of public events cancelled across the eastern United States on Thursday as smoky haze caused by Canadian wildfires led to hazardous pollution.

Health officials in more than a dozen states warned millions of residents that spending time outdoors could cause respiratory issues due to the high levels of fine particulates in the atmosphere.

Alastair Jamieson reports:

Smoky haze from Canada wildfires triggers New York flight chaos

ICYMI: Mesmerising drone footage shows New York skyline blanketed in orange haze

Friday 9 June 2023 13:30 , Stuti Mishra

All the dos and don’ts to keep safe from wildfire smoke

Friday 9 June 2023 13:00 , Stuti Mishra

The smoke from wildfires is spreading across to more areas in the United States, bringing "unhealthy" conditions, after covering New York City in an orange haze for days.

Many officials have urged people to limit their time outdoors and wear masks to protect themselves from the smoke as the air remains particularly dangerous for vulnerable people and children.

Amidst an ongoing climate crisis, many climate scientists warn that wildfires could become more frequent and intense, leading to more air pollution.

Wildfire smoke carries a number of pollutants that can pose a number of risks and hazardous effects.

My colleague Meredith Clark has this list of dos and don’ts to help keep yourself safe during the worsening air quality alert situation across the country.

How to stay safe from wildfire smoke

Do air purifiers work?

Friday 9 June 2023 12:30 , Stuti Mishra

In the face of deteriorating outdoor air quality in more parts of the United States as smoke from Canadian wildfires spreads south and west, several air quality health alerts are in place affecting millions of people.

Members of the public, especially children and those who are vulnerable, are urged to stay indoors and limit outdoor smoke exposure. However, indoor air pollution can be a significant concern as well with pollutants from outside entering our houses. This is where air purifiers come into play, promising to remove harmful pollutants and improve indoor air quality.

But how effective an air purifier is in achieving cleaner and healthier indoor environments depends on several factors.

Air purifiers are designed to target specific pollutants, such as dust, pollen, pet dander, smoke, or volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Different air purifier models employ various filtration technologies, such as High-Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) filters, activated carbon filters, or electrostatic precipitators.

With raging wildfires, the fine particulate matter which is known as PM2.5 is increased, that is known impact respiratory system and cause cardiovascular diseases.

A good quality HEPA filter an cut smoke pollution indoors by about 50 to 80 per cent, some estimates suggest.

Air purifiers with HEPA filters can also be beneficial for individuals suffering from allergies. They can effectively trap and remove common allergens such as pollen, dust mites, mould spores, and pet dander, providing relief for allergy sufferers and improving overall comfort.

While activated carbon filters play a crucial role in eliminating unpleasant odours and reducing exposure to volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and other harmful chemicals.

To maximise the effectiveness of air purifiers, it is also important to consider the size of the purifier in relation to the room, as well as the Clean Air Delivery Rate (CADR) and air changes per hour (ACH) specifications.

Regular maintenance, such as filter replacements and proper cleaning, is essential to ensure optimal performance.

White House postpones South Lawn Pride event due to smoke cover

Friday 9 June 2023 12:00 , Stuti Mishra

The White House has postponed a Pride event that was set to take place on the South Lawn because of the smoke from the wildfires in Canada enveloping the nation’s capital.

The event that was scheduled for Thursday is now planned for Saturday. It’s set to be the largest Pride Month celebration in White House history as the Biden administration attempts to push back against the Republican Party’s measures to restrict the rights of the LGBT+ community on the state level.

Gustaf Kilander has more details:

White House postpones Pride event because of Canadian wildfire smoke enveloping DC

Ontario premier under fire for blaming ‘campfires’ instead of climate crisis for devastating wildfires

Friday 9 June 2023 11:30 , Stuti Mishra

Doug Ford, the Premier of Ontario, is facing mounting criticism for refusing to acknowledge the impact of the climate crisis on the unprecedented wildfires in Canada and failing to take action by banning campfires.

Mr Ford claimed a report he heard attributed 50 per cent of the fires to lightning strikes and the other 50 per cent to people not extinguishing their campfires properly.

“So I’m asking every Ontarian, please do not light any campfires,” Mr Ford said.

Still, Mr Ford did not enact a fire ban.

Ariana Baio has more:

Ontario Premier slammed for asking people to stop campfires instead of issuing ban

New York air quality has improved slightly but will this last?

Friday 9 June 2023 11:00 , Stuti Mishra

Air quality in New York City has improved to its best state since Monday as wind systems blow smoke from Canadian wildfires away from the Big Apple which has been blanketed in an orange haze for the last three days.

The smoke is forecast to move southwards and westwards as it brings “unhealthy” air to more people in the United States as millions of people in New York, Washington and Philadelphia may see slightly improved conditions.

The pollutants in the environment still persist, and the air is dangerous for vulnerable people with AQI expected to be in the range of 100-150 today.

But the worst may still not be over for New York and the northeastern coast as wildfires continue to rage in Canada.

US National Weather Service meteorologist Bryan Ramsey earlier on Wednesday said the wind movement can bring some relief to the east coast, but as long as the fires continue to burn, the conditions are “likely to remain unhealthy”.

“Conditions are likely to remain unhealthy, at least until the wind direction changes or the fires get put out,” Mr Ramsey told Associated Press.

“Since the fires are raging — they’re really large — they’re probably going to continue for weeks. But it’s really just going be all about the wind shift.”

Smoke forecast for Friday

Friday 9 June 2023 10:38 , Stuti Mishra

The smoke forecast for Friday shows grey hazy plumes from Canadian wildfires spreading down south and drifting westwards, bringing "moderate to unhealthy air quality" for large parts of the Midwest and southern states.

According to the maps on EPA's AirNow website, yellow and orange level pollution is set to cover parts of Georgia, Louisiana Oklahoma, Nebraska, Kansas and Illinois.

However, the wind is also moving the heavy plumes of smoke away from New York, improving the air quality a little but experts say the pollutants will take time to clear off.

Smoke moves south covering Midwest and Ohio Valley

Friday 9 June 2023 10:00 , Stuti Mishra

Smoke from raging wildfires in Canada is moving southwards, covering large parts of the Midwest, bringing "moderate to unhealthy air quality", the National Weather Service (NWS) said.

“Smoke from Canadian wildfires continues to be transported south by winds into the US resulting in moderate to unhealthy air quality across parts of the Northeast, Mid-Atlantic, Ohio Valley, and Midwest on Friday. Some improvement is expected this weekend,” the NWS said in a tweet.

The movement in air has led to some relief for New York City and parts of the Northeastern coast. However, experts said pollutants still remain in the atmosphere and may take time to clear.

Where are the wildfires burning in Canada?

Friday 9 June 2023 09:50 , Stuti Mishra

More than 400 wildfires are burning throughout Canada, causing mass evacuations, fire damage and smoky conditions throughout the east coast of US.

The fires, ranging from 233 “out of control” wildfires to 114 “under control” blazes, are unprecedented, even for the typical Canadian wildfire season.

According to the Canada Drought Monitor, nearly all 10 provinces have experienced abnormal dryness.

My colleague Ariana Baio tells you where the wildfires are burning in Canada:

Where are wildfires burning in Canada right now?

New York Public Schools move to remote learning

Friday 9 June 2023 09:30 , Stuti Mishra

Public schools in New York have moved classes in session on Friday to remote learning.

“For schools serving grades 9-12 and 6-12 in Districts 1-32 and 79: Students and staff in these schools were scheduled to attend school in-person on 9 June, we are shifting to remote instruction,” NYC Public Schools tweeted.

“Additional guidance will be shortly forthcoming to instructional staff,” they added.

Can you taste wildfire smoke?

Friday 9 June 2023 09:00 , Ariana Baio

While almost everyone can smell wildfire smoke, some people can taste it – according to University of Buffalo professor of biological sciences Kathryn Medler.

“There is a wide range in the number of tastebuds that we have on our tongues,” Ms Medler said. ”Children and some adults tend to have more and, as a result, they can have a more sensitive palette.”

For those that can taste the smoke particles, it may taste charred or a cigar-like flavor.

People can test it for themselves by plugging their nose and seeing if taste is still present.

Biden sends firefighters to support Canada in wildfire battle

Friday 9 June 2023 08:30 , Ariana Baio

President Joe Biden announced on Wednesday that he was sending more than 600 US firefighters and support personnel, along with equipment, to help Canada tackle its more than 400 wildfires.

The president noted that wildfires “are intensifying because of the climate crisis”.

He also advised that Americans experiencing dangerous air pollution, especially those with health conditions, take steps to protect themselves.

ICYMI: New York restaurants shut down amid smoky conditions

Friday 9 June 2023 08:10 , Stuti Mishra

Restaurants in New York City have temporarily closed down as the city faces intense air quality issues due to the smoke from the Canadian wildfires.

Thick smoke enveloped the city on Wednesday resulting in a “hazardous” air quality index. People were encouraged to stay inside as much as possible and wear a mask when walking around outside.

“It seemed not great for our employees,” Stephanie Watanabe, co-owner of, Coast and Valley said to GrubStreet.

Watanabe said people were not interested in sitting outside and hanging out due to the dangerous air.

Several coffee shops and cafes closed in Brooklyn than usual to account for the smoke and on Thursday, they remained closed.

Other restaurants followed suit hoping to keep their employees safe on what would be a very slow service day.

What is code red, purple and orange air quality?

Friday 9 June 2023 07:40 , Stuti Mishra

The Air Quality Index (AQI), presented on the Environmental Protection Agency’s AirNow website, employs a colour-coded system to rank air quality on a 500-point scale, providing the public with an easy-to-understand assessment of the health effects of the surrounding air.

The lower end of the scale, which is green, represents healthy air, while the yellow signifies moderate levels of pollution. The higher ends, colour coded as orange, red and purple, represent unhealthy and hazardous conditions for all individuals.

The AQI takes into account some key measures of air pollution, such as particle pollution, ground-level ozone and gases like carbon monoxide, sulphur dioxide and nitrogen dioxide.

With wildfire smoke flowing from Canada, these dangerous gases have increased in the atmosphere, particularly the fine particulate matter called PM2.5, which is a pollutant.

These pollutants can have various health impacts, often leading to respiratory system irritation, inflammation and the potential development of conditions such as asthma and heart disease.

This graph from AirNow shows the various levels of alerts and the colour codes associated.

Washington DC air quality remain in red but expected to improve

Friday 9 June 2023 07:20 , Stuti Mishra

Air quality in the US capital remained in "code red" early on Friday after getting downgraded from "hazardous" levels in the purple category on Thursday evening.

The AQI levels stand close to 150, which is unhealthy for people, especially vulnerable individuals.

The air quality is expected to improve a little more and reach code orange, which is still unhealthy for individuals at risk.

The change comes as smoke from the raging wildfires in Canada moves further south and west, worsening the air for more cities, but providing some relief to the northeastern coast.

New York air quality improves as school and restaurants remain shut

Friday 9 June 2023 06:50 , Stuti Mishra

After an apocalyptic couple of days with New York covered in orange haze, the air quality index of the Big Apple has been improved significantly for the time being.

The current status of NYC has been downgraded from “hazardous” on Wednesday, to “Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups” as the smoke from Canadian wildfires spreads further down south and west.

The changes could be temporary as hundreds of wildfires continue to rage in Quebec sending plumes of smoke out towards the Northeastern coast but for the time being the air in the city is the cleanest it has been since Monday.

Government advisory for Friday says vulnerable groups should still wear masks to protect themselves with AQI ranging between 100-150.

Fox News guests and hosts mock people for wearing masks to block dangerous wildfire smoke

Friday 9 June 2023 06:30 , Stuti Mishra

Fox News hosts have pilloried residents of New York and Washington DC for wearing masks after raging wildfires in Canada enveloped the cities in acrid smoke.

The Ingraham Angle host Laura Ingraham brought on guest Steve Milloy, touted as a former Trump Environmental Protection Agency transition team member, who claimed that the thick orange smoke that clogged the New York skyline this week was harmless.

“This doesn’t kill anybody, this doesn’t make anybody cough. This is not a health event, this has got nothing to do with climate,” Mr Milloy claimed.

“Amazing,” Ingraham responded with a laugh.

Bevan Hurley reports:

Fox News hosts mock people for wearing masks to block dangerous wildfire smoke

New York’s AQI underground was way worse than what it was on the ground

Friday 9 June 2023 06:09 , Stuti Mishra

New York City’s air quality index, or AQI, reached more than 400 on Wednesday, covering the city in a yellow haze.

While the scenes on the ground were apocalyptic, the situation underground was way worse, researchers have found.

Readings taken by New York University researchers shows the entrance of the Broadway-Lafayette station in Manhattan reached 612, according to Gothamist.

On the platform down below, the readings were much worse.

My colleague Alex Woodward has more details:

New York City’s air quality has plummeted. It may be worse underground

New York City hands out N95 masks to residents

Friday 9 June 2023 06:00 , Ariana Baio

Formula 1 gives Montreal Grand Prix update amid wildfires in Quebec

Friday 9 June 2023 05:00 , Ariana Baio

Formula 1 insists next week’s Canadian Grand Prix in Montreal is not at risk despite wildfires in nearby regions.

More than 400 wildfires are raging in Canada which have led to mass evacuations in the Quebec region and officials warned this could be the country’s worst wildfire season on record, with over 6.7 million acres already scorched.

In Montreal, thick layers of smog have descended on parts of the city in the last few days but F1 insists next week’s race meet at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve (16-18 June) is set to go ahead as planned.

Kieran Jackson reports:

F1 gives Canadian Grand Prix update after smoke descends on Montreal

VOICES: ‘It’s like being on Mars’: The smoke in the air in New York is so thick

Friday 9 June 2023 04:00 , Ariana Baio

VOICES: “Smoke from hundreds of forest fires raging in Canada blew into town this week, choking out the sun and casting an eerie sepia tone across skyscrapers and city blocks.

By mid-afternoon on Tuesday, the air quality index in parts of the city climbed beyond 400 – a level considered “hazardous”. The scale only goes up to 500, and typically the air quality index hovers around 100. As some have said, it’s like being on Mars: the sky turned orange and the sharp edges of the city blurred behind the smog.”

David Taintor writes:

Opinion: ‘Like being on Mars’: You can feel the New York smoke in your lungs

Raging wildfires burning 'critical infrastructure' in Canada

Friday 9 June 2023 03:00 , Ariana Baio

Hundreds of uncontrolled forest fires continue to blaze across Canada, threatening critical infrastructure, forcing evacuations and sending a blanket of smoky air wafting over Canadian and US cities.

“Across the country as of today, there are 414 wildfires burning, 239 of which are determined to be out of control,” he told a briefing. The giant eastern province of Quebec is among the worst affected.”

“We’ve ... seen continued impacts to critical infrastructure in Quebec such as roads and rural closures, telecommunication interruptions and high voltage power lines being threatened by the growing fires,” said federal minister of emergency preparedness Bill Blair.

New York air pollution hit hazardous ratings as wildfire smoke plagues East Coast

Friday 9 June 2023 02:00 , Ariana Baio

Yellowing and ashen skies smothered New York City’s skyline on Wednesday as wildfire smoke drifting from Canada sparked unhealthy air conditions across the northeastern US.

Air quality above New York had improved slightly on 7 June but rapidly deteriorated in the afternoon, reaching an air quality index of more than 400 in some parts of the city – the worst level globally – and roughly 58 times the World Health Organization’s guidelines.

Alex Woodward reports:

New York air pollution hit hazardous ratings as wildfire smoke plagues East Coast

WATCH: George Washington Bridge disappears under smoke from Canadian Wildfire

Friday 9 June 2023 01:00 , Ariana Baio

Where are wildfires burning in Canada right now?

Friday 9 June 2023 00:28 , Graeme Massie

There are over 400 wildfires burning throughout the provinces of Canada.

Where are wildfires burning in Canada right now?

NYC smoke led to small spike in breathing-related hospital visit

Friday 9 June 2023 00:00 , Ariana Baio

There were approximately 300 emergency room visits for complaints about wheezing, asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder (COPD) on Wednesday according to data from the New York City Department of Health.

The number is a small increase from the average number of visits for similar complaints that occurred in the days before heavy smoke from Canadian fires engulfed the city.

Visits on Wednesday were the highest number since 23 May 2022.

More than 60m Americans exposed to high levels of smoke, experts say

Thursday 8 June 2023 23:20 , Graeme Massie

Wednesday was the worst wildfire-related smoke incident that the US has seen since 2006, when data began being kept, according to scientists.

Stanford climate researcher Marshall Burke and colleagues say that 61.8 million Americans in some of the country’s biggest cities were exposed to more than 50 micrograms of particulate matter per cubic meter of air, which is considered a high level.

The experts say that is twice the number that were exposed on 13 September 2020, which is the second-place event.

Misinformation on smoke circulates Twitter

Thursday 8 June 2023 23:00 , Ariana Baio

As New York City faced dangerous air quality index levels on Wednesday (7 June), misinformation ran rampant on Twitter with people claiming it was safe to breathe in smoke and the wildfires were part of a “climate scam”

The hashtag “Climate Scam” began trending on Twitter with over 34,000 mentions according to the Center for Countering Digital Hate (CCDH).

“Bad actors are exploiting a catastrophic event in real-time to flood Twitter with climate denial and anti-science propaganda,” Callum Hood, head of research at CCDH said.

“Under Elon Musk, it has become the platform of choice for a host of bad actors, many of whom have been given an algorithmic boost after purchasing ‘Twitter Blue’ accounts. Our previous work shows that accounts belonging to leading climate deniers are growing at twice the rate under Elon Musk – helped by algorithmic recommendations, and the veneer of credibility offered by paid-for blue badges,” Mr Hood added.

Man reveals the ‘incredible’ mask his wife made for dog to protect pet from wildfire smoke

Thursday 8 June 2023 22:30 , Ariana Baio

A man based in Rochester, New York has showcased the “incredible” mask that his wife made for their dog, Siggi, in order to protect him from the wildfire smoke in their area.

The pet owner, Andrew White, took to Twitter on Wednesday to share a photo of his dog in the handmade mask. Speaking to The Independent, White’s wife, Emily Uhde, noted that the face covering was made out of a shower cap, a round N95 respirator, and some duct tape.

Amber Raiken reports:

Man reveals the mask his wife made for dog to protect pet from wildfire smoke

New York restaurants shut down amid smoky conditions

Thursday 8 June 2023 22:00 , Ariana Baio

Restaurants in New York City have temporarily closed down as the city faces intense air quality issues due to the smoke from the Canadian wildfires.

On Wednesday (7 June), the thick smoke enveloped the city resulting in a “hazardous” air quality index. People were encouraged to stay inside as much as possible and wear a mask when walking around outside.

“It seemed not great for our employees,” Stephanie Watanabe, co-owner of, Coast and Valley said to GrubStreet.

Watanabe said people were not interested in sitting outside and hanging out due to the dangerous air.

Several coffee shops and cafes closed in Brooklyn than usual to account for the smoke and on Thursday, they remained closed.

Other restaurants followed suit hoping to keep their employees safe on what would be a very slow service day.

Climate activists protest outside of White House amid smoke

Thursday 8 June 2023 21:30 , Ariana Baio

Climate protesters gathered outside of the White House in Washington DC to speak out against the Mountain Valley Pipeline as a “Code Purple” warning headed over the DC area.

Images from the protest showed activists gathered together, wearing masks to protect themselves from the smoky air from the Canadian wildfires while holding signs and banners.

Justin Pearson, a member of the Tennessee House of Representatives spoke at the protest joking that with the remaining breath in protestor’s bodies, “we still got some fight left”.

Fox News guests and hosts mock people for wearing masks to block dangerous wildfire smoke

Thursday 8 June 2023 21:00 , Ariana Baio

Fox News hosts have pilloried residents of New York and Washington DC for wearing masks after raging wildfires in Canada enveloped the cities in acrid smoke.

As New York recorded the worst air pollution in the world on Wednesday, a procession of anchors and guests on the right-wing network denied clear scientific evidence that the smoke was dangerous.

Bevan Hurley reports:

Fox News hosts mock people for wearing masks to block dangerous wildfire smoke

Photos show low visibility in Washington DC

Thursday 8 June 2023 20:30 , Ariana Baio

New York Public Schools move to remote learning

Thursday 8 June 2023 20:00 , Ariana Baio

Public schools in New York have moved classes in session on 9 June to remote learning.

“For schools serving grades 9-12 and 6-12 in Districts 1-32 and 79: Students and staff in these schools were scheduled to attend school in-person on June 9, we are shifting to remote instruction,” NYC Public Schools tweeted.

They added: “Additional guidance will be shortly forthcoming to instructional staff.”

Schools serving 3K, Pre-K, K-5, 6-8, K-12 and district 75 will be off – though this was previously planned as a Clerical Day.

White House issues statement on fires

Thursday 8 June 2023 19:30 , Ariana Baio

President Joe Biden has issued a statement about the wildfires in Canada, whose smoke is causing dangerous air quality conditions for people in the US.

“This morning, millions of Americans are experiencing the effects of smoke resulting from devastating wildfires burning in Canada, another stark reminder of the impacts of climate change. Since May, more than 600 U.S. firefighters, support personnel, and firefighting assets have been deployed, working alongside Canadian firefighters to tackle what is likely to be the worst fire season in Canadian history, and one that has huge impacts here in the United States.”

“Yesterday I spoke with Prime Minister Trudeau and offered any additional help Canada needs to rapidly accelerate the effort to put out these fires, particularly those in Quebec, where the fires are having the most direct impacts on American communities. I have directed the National Interagency Fire Center to respond promptly to Canadian requests for additional firefighters and fire suppression assets such as air tankers. I’ve asked Secretary of Transportation Buttigieg to keep me informed about his progress in ensuring that we proactively manage the air traffic implications of the deteriorated air quality based on lessons learned from prior incidents. Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Regan is continuously monitoring air quality and providing critical updates for each relevant zipcode; you can find the current air quality and updated public health guidance in your area at AirNow.gov. In addition, the Centers for Disease Control offer detailed recommendations on protecting yourself from the effects of wildfire smoke at CDC.gov. Stay safe and follow the guidance of your local officials.”

Washington DC under ‘ Code Purple'

Thursday 8 June 2023 19:00 , Ariana Baio

As the clouds of heavy smoke from the Canadian wildfires makes it way toward Washington DC, the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments enacted a “Code Purple” warning.

The warning means air quality is “very unhealthy” and in some areas “hazardous” putting millions of people in the DC area at risk.

The Washington Nationals postponed their Thursday game, The National Zoo closed, schools have moved recess inside and those who need to be outdoors are advised to wear a N95 or KN95 face covering.

Watch: How to protect your pets against wildfire smoke

Thursday 8 June 2023 18:30 , Louise Boyle

Pictured: New York City’s air quality remains noxious

Thursday 8 June 2023 17:50 , Louise Boyle

A view of the bridges over a hazy East River as smoke from wildfires burning in Canada continues to create unhealthy air quality conditions in New York on Thursday morning.

Formula 1 gives Montreal Grand Prix update amid wildfires in Quebec

Thursday 8 June 2023 17:30 , Louise Boyle

Formula 1 has insisted next week’s Canadian Grand Prix in Montreal is not at risk despite raging wildfires in the province of Quebec, where the city is located.

More than 400 wildfires have erupted across Canada and 7 million acres have been destroyed so far. In Quebec, there have been mass evacuations as officials warned this could be the country’s worst wildfire season on record.

In Montreal, thick smoke descended on the city this week but F1 insist the upcoming race meet at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve will go ahead as planned.

The Independent’s Formula 1 Correspondent, Kieran Jackson, has more

F1 gives Canadian Grand Prix update after smoke descends on Montreal

Breaking: More sports cancellations due to wildfire smoke

Thursday 8 June 2023 17:09 , Louise Boyle

Belmont Park in Elmont New York cancelled horse racing on Thursday due to poor air quality, The Associated Press reported.

There were also more cancellations in Major League Baseball with the Washington Nationals also postponing Thursday’s game.

Smoky haze blanketing US and Canada could last into the weekend

Thursday 8 June 2023 16:50 , Louise Boyle

On air quality maps, purple signifies the worst of it. In reality, it’s a thick, hazardous haze that’s disrupting daily life for millions of people across the U.S. and Canada, blotting out skylines and turning skies orange, The Associated Press reports.

And with weather systems expected to hardly budge, the smoky blanket billowing from wildfires in Quebec and Nova Scotia and sending plumes of fine particulate matter as far away as North Carolina and northern Europe should persist into Thursday and possibly the weekend.

That means at least another day, or more, of a dystopian-style detour that’s chased players from ballfields, actors from Broadway stages, delayed thousands of flights and sparked a resurgence in mask wearing and remote work — all while raising concerns about the health effects of prolonged exposure to such bad air.

The weather system that’s driving the great Canadian-American smoke out — a low-pressure system over Maine and Nova Scotia — “will probably be hanging around at least for the next few days,” U.S. National Weather Service meteorologist Bryan Ramsey said.

“Conditions are likely to remain unhealthy, at least until the wind direction changes or the fires get put out,” Ramsey said. “Since the fires are raging — they’re really large — they’re probably going to continue for weeks. But it’s really just going be all about the wind shift.”

The Associated Press

Pictured: The US Northeast blanketed in wildfire smoke

Thursday 8 June 2023 16:30 , Louise Boyle

Washington DC under ‘Code Purple’ with worst air quality in years

Thursday 8 June 2023 16:17 , Louise Boyle

Washington DC was under “Code Purple” on Thursday as air quality dropped to very unhealthy, and hazardous, conditions.

DC Mayor Muriel Bowser ordered schools to cancel outdoor recess, sports and field trips.

The Air Quality Index (AQI) - used to measure air pollution - hit 293, according to the government monitor AirNow.gov.

It meant that unhealthy conditions for the general population but particularly those with underlying health issues.

The AQI runs from 0-500 with “satisfactory” air quality somewhere in the 0-50 range.

People with heart or lung disease, older adults, children and teens were advised to avoid physical activities outdoors.

In general, people were advise to avoid strenuous outdoor activities and keep outdoor activities short.

Biden sends firefighters to support Canada in wildfire battle

Thursday 8 June 2023 15:50 , Louise Boyle

President Joe Biden announced on Wedneday that he was sending more than 600 US firefighters and support personnel, along with equipment, to help Canada tackle its more than 400 wildfires.

The president noted that wildfires “are intensifying because of the climate crisis”.

He also advised that Americans experiencing dangerous air pollution, especially those with health conditions, take steps to protect themselves.

Watch: George Washington Bridge disappears under smoke from Canadian Wildfires

Thursday 8 June 2023 15:30 , Louise Boyle

New York makes N95 masks available

Thursday 8 June 2023 15:04 , Louise Boyle

New York made 1 million N95 masks available on Thursday that can be picked up at state facilities.

Some 400,000 will be distributed at public transit hubs including Port Authority in Manhattan.

They will also be handed out at New York state parks and the Javits Center on the west side of Manhattan.

‘I can’t breathe’: New York air quality forces Jodie Comer to end Broadway performance after 10 minutes

Thursday 8 June 2023 14:50 , Louise Boyle

Jodie Comer ended her one-woman show, Prima Facie, early on Wednesday due to the “hazardous” air quality in New York caused by smoke billowing south from Canada’s devastating wildfires.

An audience member at the matinee production of Prima Facie at the John Golden Theatre told Deadline that Comer appeared on stage 10 minutes late.

Just a few minutes later, the Killing Eve star left, reportedly telling a stage manager: “I can’t breathe in this air.”

Tom Murray has more below

New York air quality forces Jodie Comer to end Broadway performance after 10 minutes

Pictured: Smoky skies over the capital

Thursday 8 June 2023 14:30 , Louise Boyle

Members of the Marine Corps practice for an upcoming parade under skies filled with smoke near the Lincoln Memorial in Washington DC on Thursday morning.

DC issued a rare code purple air quality alert as a result of the smoke, which is affecting large portions of the northeastern United States (Credit: EPA/Jim Lo Scalzo)

Good morning from New York - where the air is still ‘very unhealthy'

Thursday 8 June 2023 14:04 , Louise Boyle

Air quality alerts were issued for much of the eastern seaboard again on Thursday as wildfire smoke continues to drift south from wildfires raging out of control in Canada. Some of the worst air quality in the US is currently in parts of Pennsylvania, around Philadelphia, along with Wilmington, Delaware; Baltimore, Maryland; and Washington DC.At 9am in New York City, the air was classed as “Very Unhealthy” on the Air Quality Index (AQI) - the system used by public officials to monitor air pollution. The sky is still thick with clouds but the sun appeared a little more visible than on Wednesday when the city was immersed in a dank, orangey soup.

How to protect pets from wildfire smoke

Thursday 8 June 2023 13:30 , Stuti Mishra

Experts estimate that each hour of exposure to wildfire smoke is equivalent to smoking cigarettes continuously for the same amount of time, but that’s just for humans. Poor air quality may pose an even greater risk to animals because of their much smaller size.

My colleague Meredith Clark has these tips on protecting your pets from wildfire smoke as air quality alerts continue throughout New York.

How to protect pets from wildfire smoke amid air quality alert

Aerial photos reveal the scale of devastating Canadian wildfires

Thursday 8 June 2023 13:00 , Stuti Mishra

Cities with the worst air quality in the US

Thursday 8 June 2023 12:30 , Stuti Mishra

As the entire northeastern US continues to be blanketed by grey haze from raging wildfires in Quebec, many cities have seen their air quality index plummet.

Some of the worst scenes have been witnessed in New York, which saw the air quality index rise up above 350 briefly yesterday, but several other cities are bearing the brunt as well, with toxic smoke prompting health advisories.

Here is a list of major cities that currently have some of the worst levels of pollution in the US:

New York

The Big Apple continues to be in the “very unhealthy” category with the air quality index currently standing at 185. The city’s authorities have urged residents to limit outdoor exposure and wear N95 masks to protect themselves.

Philadelphia

With an AQI of 263, Philadelphia remains one of the polluted cities in the US currently, as nearby areas in Pennsylvania also suffer from toxic smoke. The PM2.5 concentration in Philadelphia is currently 42.7 times the WHO’s annual air quality guideline value.

Washington and Baltimore

The US capital and the adjoining Baltimore city are both suffering from high levels of air pollution with the air quality index currently rating them at 220 and above. The levels, considered “very unhealthy”, are expected to worsen over the day as more toxic plumes flow inwards.

Detroit

Following New York, Detroit remains the most polluted city in the US for last two days, currently standing at the fifth spot in IQAir’s list of most polluted metropolitan cities worldwide.The Michigan city currently has an air quality rating of 155.

Air quality index for New York, Pennsylvania and Washington to plummet further

Thursday 8 June 2023 12:00 , Stuti Mishra

Poor air quality is expected to continue onto Thursday, especially for New York City, Pennsylvania and Washington, experts said.

The bulk of smoke from the eastern Canada wildfires is expected to expand towards the Mid-Atlantic, causing major northeast US cities to feel the brunt once again.

Some places further south can see more smoke today with an impact expected as far as South Carolina.

While some predictions said NYC might get some relief by Thursday evening, US National Weather Service meteorologist Bryan Ramsey said "conditions are likely to remain unhealthy for at least the next few days", with no end in sight for the wildfires.

Current New York air quality 'worse than after 9/11 attacks'

Thursday 8 June 2023 11:30 , Stuti Mishra

The air quality in New York has plummeted to its worst point since at least the 1980s as smoke from Canadian wildfires continues to engulf the city.

From last three days the city has been blanketed in a toxic orange haze. At one point on Wednesday, New York's air quality index rose to above 350, which is considered “very hazardous”.

Currently the index has recovered a bit but still remains at 177 in the "very unhealthy category".

Describing the historic levels of pollution on Wednesday, Fox Forecast Centre meteorologist Brian Mastro said the air quality was "even worse than after the September 11 attacks" but said the air was fortunately less toxic than the debris cloud from the terror attack.

Wildfires have burned '15 times more area' than 10-year average

Thursday 8 June 2023 11:10 , Stuti Mishra

Wildfires are common in Canada’s western provinces, but this year, flames have mushroomed rapidly in the country’s east, making it the worst-ever start to the season.

About 3.8 million hectares (9.4 million acres) have already burned, officials said.

This is equivalent to about 15 times the 10-year average, federal minister of emergency preparedness Bill Blair said.

Raging wildfires burning 'critical infrastructure' in Canada

Thursday 8 June 2023 10:55 , Stuti Mishra

Hundreds of uncontrolled forest fires continue to blaze across Canada, threatening critical infrastructure, forcing evacuations and sending a blanket of smoky air wafting over Canadian and US cities.

"Across the country as of today, there are 414 wildfires burning, 239 of which are determined to be out of control," he told a briefing. The giant eastern province of Quebec is among the worst affected."

"We've ... seen continued impacts to critical infrastructure in Quebec such as roads and rural closures, telecommunication interruptions and high voltage power lines being threatened by the growing fires," said federal minister of emergency preparedness Bill Blair.

How to check the air quality near you

Thursday 8 June 2023 10:30 , Josh Marcus

AirNow, a site from the federal government, has an easy-to-use public website listing air quality across the US.

You can find it here.

New York giving away 1m N95 masks ask smoke problems continue

Thursday 8 June 2023 10:10 , Josh Marcus

New York officials will be distributing 1 million masks in the coming days as wildfire smoke continues to pose health risks.

Here’s more info from Governor Kathy Hochul.

Meanwhile in Hawaii

Thursday 8 June 2023 09:50 , Josh Marcus

New York isn’t the only place dealing with a big environmental challenge.

Kilauea, the volcano on Hawaii‘s Big Island, erupted early Wednesday morning.

The US Geological Survey captured the drama of the eruption at the volcano’s Halema’uma’u crater, where lava leaped into the air from the maw of the mountain.

The agency said the eruption poses no risk to the public, and noted that lava has not been ejected further than the crater’s floor. It did raise the volcano alert warning to red, noting that ash resulting from the disruption could pose a risk to aviators.

Graig Graziosi has the story.

Kilauea erupts on Hawaii’s Big Island sparking aviation red alert

Why wildfires are raging in Canada?

Thursday 8 June 2023 09:30 , Stuti Mishra

Canada is dealing with a series of intense wildfires that have spread from the western provinces to Quebec, with hundreds of forest fires burning.

The smoke has travelled into the United States, resulting in a number of air quality alerts issued since May.

Although it's not unusual for Canada to suffer from wildfires, this year is turning out to be the worst on record for the country. Scientists said the climate crisis is making such phenomena more frequent and intense.

Scott Duncan, a London-based meteorologist, said "extreme and prolonged hot and dry conditions in Canada" have made it "effortless for wildfires to rage".

"Canada was at the epicentre of the most significant heat anomaly on the planet in May," he noted.

Last month was the second warmest May on record for the global average temperature. So far this year, large parts of Asia, Europe and the Americas have suffered an unusually early heatwave that scientists have attributed to the climate crisis.

Here's a summary of what started the Canada wildfires, what's being evaluated and some suggested precautions:

What started the Canada wildfires? All we know about air quality alerts

Apocalyptic time-lapse shows New York disappear into orange smoke from Canada wildfires

Thursday 8 June 2023 09:10 , Stuti Mishra

AOC and Bernie Sanders warn that Canada wildfire smoke is sign of climate crisis catastrophe to come

Thursday 8 June 2023 08:50 , Josh Marcus

Leaders from across the worlds of politics, entertainment, and activism warned on Wednesday that the wildfire smoke blanketing the East Coast today is a sign of the climate crisis.

“It bears repeating how unprepared we are for the climate crisis,” New York congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez wrote on Twitter on Wednesday, referencing the smoke and recent soaring temperatures in Puerto Rico. “We must adapt our food systems, energy grids, infrastructure, healthcare, etc ASAP to prepare for what’s to come and catch up to what is already here.”

Fellow progressive Bernie Sanders sounded a similar note, writing on Twitter: “Right now, 98 MILLION people on the East Coast are under air quality alerts from Canadian fires and, last night, NYC had the worst air quality in the world.”

More details in our full story.

AOC and Bernie warn that Canada wildfire smoke is sign of climate crisis catastrophe

Understanding Air Quality alerts: What does 'hazardous' air mean?

Thursday 8 June 2023 08:35 , Stuti Mishra

As smoke from wildfires in eastern Canada engulfs the US East Coast, air quality alerts in the "hazardous" category have been issued in some areas. But what exactly do "code red", "very unhealthy" or "hazardous" alerts signify?

The Air Quality Index (AQI), presented on the Environmental Protection Agency's AirNow website, employs a colour-coded system to rank air quality on a 500-point scale, providing the public with an easy-to-understand assessment of the health effects of the surrounding air.

The lower end of the scale, which is green, represents healthy air, while the higher ends, colour coded as red, purple and maroon, represent hazardous and extremely unhealthy conditions.

Currently, New York City's air quality falls within the purple category, denoting hazardous conditions.

The AQI takes into account some key measures of air pollution, such as particle pollution, ground-level ozone and gases like carbon monoxide, sulphur dioxide and nitrogen dioxide. With wildfire smoke flowing from Canada, these dangerous gases have increased in the atmosphere, particularly the fine particulate matter called PM2.5, which is a pollutant.

These pollutants can have various health impacts, often leading to respiratory system irritation, inflammation and the potential development of conditions such as asthma and heart disease.

The scale levels are determined based on the concentration of pollutants in the air, measured in parts per million, over specific time periods – usually an hour, eight hours or 24 hours, depending on the pollutant.

While an AQI of orange was unhealthy for vulnerable individuals, an AQI level of red is considered unhealthy for all individuals, with purple deemed "hazardous" for everyone.

There are various health advisories in place urging residents to limit outdoor activities and wear masks specifically designed to filter out fine particles, like N95 masks.

Canadian wildfire evacuees 'won't be able to return to their homes until next week'

Thursday 8 June 2023 08:10 , Stuti Mishra

Thousands of residents in Canada remain displaced from their homes as raging wildfires continue to wreak havoc, in what has turned out to be the country's "worst wildfire season ever".

The current count stands at over 20,000 evacuees, with approximately 11,400 individuals hailing from remote regions in northern Quebec as authorities fear the number is expected to rise with the fires rapidly expanding their reach.

In a press conference on Wednesday, Quebec premier Francois Legault said evacuees will not be able to return to their communities until next week, CBC news reported.

Mr Legault said dry weather and strong winds are creating dangerous conditions and heavy smoke in areas that have been evacuated so far.

Quebec premier Francois Legault

Wildfires ground New York-based flights

Thursday 8 June 2023 07:50 , Josh Marcus

Federal authorities temporarily grounded flights at New York City’s LaGuardia Airport “due to low visibility” from wildfire smoke smothering the East Coast.

Departures were grounded until 2pm ET on 7 June, according to the Federal Aviation Administration. The agency also delayed flights from the upper midwestern US and on East Coast bound for LaGuardia.

Newark Liberty International Airport, another nearby major travel hub, also announced a ground delay. The airport announced that the “current smoke condition” may impact flights and urged travelers to check with their airlines “to determine the status of your flight.”

Wind patterns bringing smoke across the northeast “could impact travel through the airports,” according to FAA traffic management officer Samuel Ausby. More than 16,200 flights have been delayed and 79 flights were canceled by 1pm on Wednesday, according to FlightAware.

Alex Woodward has the details.

LaGuardia flights temporarily grounded as wildfire smoke clogs air travel across US

All the dos and don’ts to keep safe from wildfire smoke

Thursday 8 June 2023 07:33 , Stuti Mishra

As the wildfires continue to rage on, air quality in New York is expected to remain worse for a few more days, according to forecasters.But amidst an ongoing climate crisis, many climate scientists warn that wildfires could become more frequent and intense, leading to more air pollution.

Many officials have urged people to limit their time outdoors and wear masks to protect themselves from the smoke. In fact, wildfire smoke carries a number of pollutants that can pose a number of risks and hazardous effects.

My colleague Meredith Clark has this list of dos and don’ts to help keep yourself safe during the Code Red air quality alert.

From masks to AC units: All the dos and don’ts to keep safe from wildfire smoke

How to protect pets from wildfire smoke

Thursday 8 June 2023 22:21 , Ariana Baio

Experts estimate that each hour of exposure to wildfire smoke is equivalent to smoking cigarettes continuously for the same amount of time, but that’s just for humans. Poor air quality may pose an even greater risk to animals because of their much smaller size.

Meredith Clark reports:

How to protect pets from wildfire smoke amid air quality alert

How long will air pollution in New York last?

Thursday 8 June 2023 07:00 , Stuti Mishra

New York City has been blanketed in thick smoke last two days with air quality continuing to plummet prompting health alerts across the Northeastern United States.

However, there still seems no end in sight as weather systems are expected to hardly budge.

The smoky blanket billowing from wildfires in Quebec and Nova Scotia and sending plumes of fine particulate matter as far away as North Carolina can persist into Thursday and possibly the weekend, experts say.

That means at least another day, or more, of a dystopian-style detour that’s chased players from ballfields, actors from Broadway stages, delayed thousands of flights and sparked a resurgence in mask-wearing and remote work — all while raising concerns about the health effects of prolonged exposure to such bad air.

The weather system that’s driving the great Canadian-American smoke out — a low-pressure system over Maine and Nova Scotia — “will probably be hanging around at least for the next few days,” US National Weather Service meteorologist Bryan Ramsey said.

Bryan Ramsey, US National Weather Service meteorologist

“Since the fires are raging — they’re really large — they’re probably going to continue for weeks. But it’s really just going be all about the wind shift.”

The Independent’s senior climate correspondent Louise Boyle has this wildfire smoke tracker where you can check where the pollution is headed next:

Wildfire smoke tracker: Where the air pollution is headed next

Video: George Washington Bridge disappears under smoke from Canadian Wildfires

Thursday 8 June 2023 06:36 , Stuti Mishra

New York pollution skyrockets as wildfire smoke continues

Thursday 8 June 2023 05:50 , Josh Marcus

Yellowing and ashen skies smothered New York City’s skyline on Wednesday as wildfire smoke drifting from Canada sparked unhealthy air conditions across the northeastern US.

Air quality above New York had improved slightly on 7 June but rapidly deteriorated in the afternoon, reaching an air quality index of more than 400 in some parts of the city – the worst level globally – and roughly 58 times the World Health Organization’s guidelines.

The federal government’s index for measuring air quality considers anything above 300 “hazardous”. By comparison, the index over the weekend was 20.

Alex Woodward reports.

New York City air pollution from wildfire smoke spikes to hazardous ratings

Photos from New York’s apocalyptic day of wildfire smoke

Thursday 8 June 2023 04:50 , Josh Marcus

The skies across the northeastern United States, including New York were engulfed by smoke flowing from Canada as roughly 400 wildfires continue to rage in the country.

New York City was the world’s most polluted major city on Wednesday, surpassing Delhi, Baghdad, Kuwait and Dhaka, according to ratings by IQAir, a Swiss technology company that monitors air quality.

The worst impact of the pollution was visible in the tri-state area where visibility plummeted and skies turned hazy. The sun and the moon were also blotted to a deep orange by the smoky conditions.

‘Apocalyptic’ photos capture smoky haze blanketing New York City

Wildfire smoke shuts down multiple Broadway shows

Thursday 8 June 2023 03:50 , Josh Marcus

Jodie Comer ended her one-woman show Prima Facie early on Wednesday (7 June) due to the “hazardous” air quality in New York.

The air quality in the US city reached record lows after thick smoke billowed south from Canada’s devastating wildfires.

An audience member at the matinee production of Prima Facie at the John Golden Theatre told Deadline that Comer, 30, appeared on stage 10 minutes late.

Tom Murray reports.

Jodie Comer halts Broadway show due to New York air quality: ‘I can’t breathe’

Wildfire smoke tracker: Where the air pollution is headed next

Thursday 8 June 2023 02:50 , Josh Marcus

The northeast of the United States is battling smoke from 400 wildfires raging across Canada which have burned more than 6 million acres and led to mass evacuations.

And it’s far from over: Canadian officials warned that this could be the country’s worst wildfire season on record.

Smoke has darkened skies and made it difficult to breathe in at least half a dozen states and large parts of Canada, including major cities like New York, Toronto, Ottawa, Washington DC and Philadelphia.

Louise Boyle has the details.

Wildfire smoke tracker: Where the air pollution is headed next

AOC and Bernie Sanders warn that Canada wildfire smoke is sign of climate crisis catastrophe to come

Thursday 8 June 2023 01:50 , Josh Marcus

Leaders from across the worlds of politics, entertainment, and activism warned on Wednesday that the wildfire smoke blanketing the East Coast today is a sign of the climate crisis.

“It bears repeating how unprepared we are for the climate crisis,” New York congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez wrote on Twitter on Wednesday, referencing the smoke and recent soaring temperatures in Puerto Rico. “We must adapt our food systems, energy grids, infrastructure, healthcare, etc ASAP to prepare for what’s to come and catch up to what is already here.”

Fellow progressive Bernie Sanders sounded a similar note, writing on Twitter: “Right now, 98 MILLION people on the East Coast are under air quality alerts from Canadian fires and, last night, NYC had the worst air quality in the world.”

More details in our full story.

AOC and Bernie warn that Canada wildfire smoke is sign of climate crisis catastrophe

Click here to read the full blog on The Independent's website